It was to be Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson’s first appearance in the Senate, still new in the portfolio. Senator Don Plett led off, asking on the Fisheries bill and how it had provisions around captions of cetaceans which were different from those in the Senate public bill that deals with similar matter. Wilkinson first led off by remarking that he used to be a constitutional negotiator and worked on senate reform, before he launched into some prepared remarks on the capture of cetaceans for public display, and said that they support the Senate bill in principle and looked forward to the Chamber’s debates on the Fisheries bill. Plett pressed and raised Wilkinson’s predecessor’s concerns around provincial jurisdiction which would render the Senate bill unconstitutional, and Wilkinson noted that the Senate bill is not government legislation, but the provisions related to whales in the Fishies bill were done with the understanding that it was federal jurisdiction. 

Senator Eaton was up next, asking about spill responses and what coastal infrastructure was needed along the Northwest Coast that was related to the tanker ban. Wilkinson noted that Burrard Inlet has the infrastructure which is why oil flows there, but they are working with Indigenous communities to improve northern coast infrastructure to deal with smaller spills.

Senator Bovey asked about lighthouse staffing problems, where there are no backups, and Wilkinson he read some points about lighthouses, and said that it’s a remote lifestyle which makes it difficult to staff, and that the Coast Guard is working to head off retirements.

Senator Forest asked about licenses for independent fishers under the new Fisheries Act, to which Wilkinson read some points about the bill clarifying the role of the minister when it comes to deciding licences and the factors that are taken into account in granting them.

Senator Richards asked about the protection of Atlantic river salmon from predatory striped bass, to which Wilkinson read that there are a variety of factors affecting the salmon stocks, and as far as it goes to striped bass, they have extended more licences including to Indigenous Fisheries.

Senator Marshall asked about why the fisheries department won’t disclose its infrastructure projects. Wilkinson didn’t have a script this time, saying that the only projects he was aware of are small craft harbours, announcements of which are disclosed all the time.

Senator Patterson asked about the problems related to Arctic resupply not being prioritised by Coast Guard icebreaking activities, listing some dubious priorities such as freeing a trapped pleasure yacht while a supply ship waited. Wilkinson said that they increased traffic in the north meant a need to rethink the resourcing, and gave some additional context to some of the examples that were raised.

Senator Gold asked about a TSB report around fishers and inclement weather as it regards regulations. Wilkinson noted that safety was their top priority, and that he would get back to him on his particular concerns. 

Senator McIntyre returned to the issue of Atlantic river salmon, and Wilkinson noted the sustained high temperatures in the rivers, noted closures to fisheries during certain periods, catch-and-release recreational fisheries and Indigenous cooperation in managing the stocks.

Senator Mockler followed up on the issue further, asking about releasing adult salmon directly into the river for immediately spawning, and Wilkinson took up scripts to say that they have raised scientific concerns about the plan, and that the local First Nation was also not onside, which is why they didn’t move ahead with it.

Senator Ngo asked about an industrial spill in Vietnam which created problems in the Pacific, and the silence of the department on the danger of contaminated fish being imported from that country. Wilkinson responded with some fairly bland assurances.

Senator Eaton returned for another question about response capabilities on the East Coast, and Wilkinson noted the Oceans Protection Plan and that it was to fill the gaps in pre-existing programs.

Senator Marshall disputed that small craft harbours were the only departmental infrastructure projects, and wanted all of them on the department website. Wilkinson stated that he would get back to her on that.

Overall, it was a bit odd to see a minister so reliant on scripts, which they normally aren’t when they come to the Senate, and while Wilkinson did rely on them less as time went on, it was still a bit jarring to watch him reading these prepared lines for the first several responses to questions. When he started to relax a bit, it was better, but it was definitely a shaky start. That said, he didn’t really ramble or meander through his answers either, so it left time for follow-up questions at the end, meaning that they more than went through the established list of questions.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Senator Thanh Hai Ngo for a dark grey-piece suit with a white shirt and a burgundy tie, and to Senator Jane Cordy for a black dress with a white pattern and a black jacket. Style citations go out to Senator Patricia Bovey for a white collared shirt under an odd black and white tunic with black slacks, and to Senator Murray Sinclair for a medium grey suit with a bright blue shirt and a black and floral tie.